Why He's No. 13

Dana White, president and part-owner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), has been the public face and driving force behind the UFC’s incredible turnaround from unsanctioned blood-sport to billion-dollar global brand. He also benches more pounds (300) and drops more F-bombs (every few words) than any other corporate exec we’re aware of.

Back Stage

Born in Manchester, Connecticut, White grew up in Las Vegas, Boston and Levant, Maine. White is a fierce Boston Red Sox fan. During his youth, he bounced back and forth between Las Vegas and Maine. He tried college for two years in Boston but didn't finish. He got himself on track there, however, by launching a boxing program for inner-city kids. White has a background as an aerobics instructor. In 1992, White established Dana White Enterprises in Las Vegas. He conducted aerobics classes at three gyms in the Las Vegas area and began managing MMA fighters Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell.



While working as a manager, White learned that Semaphore Entertainment Group, the parent company of the UFC, was looking for a buyer for the UFC. White contacted childhood friend Lorenzo Fertitta, an executive at Station Casinos, and a former commissioner of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Within a month, Lorenzo and his older brother Frank bought the UFC, with White installed as its president. White currently owns 10% of Zuffa, LLC, the entity the Fertitta brothers created to own and manage the UFC.



A former working-class tough in South Boston who bolted town to elude extortion from the Mob, White may not yet be among the pantheon of sports' most powerful commissioners and executives. But he's right outside their door and he's got a couple of badasses with him. In fact, Dana White just may be the next most powerful guy in sports.

Forcaste

In 1992, Dana White founded Dana White Enterprises in Las Vegas, a sports management company. With three boxing gyms to his name in Vegas, Dana White trained and managed both professional boxers as well as some MMA fighters.